For fans of Dan Croll and Beirut, check out 17-year old UK artist Will Joseph Cook who’s just announced his new EP “You Jump I Run“, which will be released via Duly Noted Records. Take a listen to the single “Message” which will be a part of the physical (10″ vinyl) & digital release, both available from April 21st. “The song was wrote about those tendencies that some have, where they get caught-up in nostalgia & over glorifying the past, never looking forward” explains Will, concluding “Message is about getting away from that.”

I’ve kept repeating that my goal in writing this blog was to always share great music with you. Generally, that meant there wasn’t any limitations to what I could put up on the site, except if it violated my golden rule. Via the other hat I wear in the music industry (I guess it’s more of a head), I work with a ton of amazing Canadian and International artists, helping them navigate these crazy synchronization and publishing worlds I’ve been working in for the last 12 years. I decided long ago that I didn’t want to be “that guy” to hype his own bands, or to manufacture my own buzz for an artist I was pitching, even if it was a song that was a perfect fit for the blog. It just never really sat right with me, so I held back from posting and did my best to help them succeed in the industry I called my day job.

Today, I’m revisiting this rule as things have changed (or are in the process of changing) and I now don’t really see that same conflict anymore for some of these artists. Better late than never, lets catch up on a few gems which should have made the site long ago.

Folly & the Hunter are an indie-folk foursome from Montreal, who’s 2013 album “Tragic Care” is absolutely stunning. Fans of Patrick Watson, The Middle East and sombre falsetto melodies with orchestrated swells and builds will love this record. A few folks in the blogosphere picked this up when it came out, but I feel like these songs could have gone so much further.

If you’re new to this band, a great way to start is with “Ghost”, then head further to watch a fan made video for “Mask”. Also, they’ve got a new record coming out soon, stay tuned for more on that.

Christine and the Queens is the musical project of French singer Heloise Letissier, who is already a big name in her home country, now making her way over to conquering this side of the planet (via the “Saint Claude” EP, out April 14th through Because Music in partnership with Neon Gold Records).

“Three for three” so far for Liverpool band The Wombats, who’ve blown me away with their newtunes, today adding “Give Me A Try” to that list. Look for all three off the upcoming release of Glitterbug (April 13th).

Following up the success of last year’s single “Red“, Mt. Wolf have really proved they’re back with the latest single “Hamburg”. Featuring “disembodied vocals with skittering electronic beats”, “Hamburg” traces the final deterioration of the same fraught long-distance relationship which also informed “Red“. Mt. Wolf are rejuvenated, re-focused, and a band to watch in 2015. Look for both these tracks on the Red EP, due out on April 13 through London tastemaker label X Novo.

It’s totally worth clearing out an inbox of blind requests, irrelevant artist submissions and poorly aimed press releases, so long as I at least occasionally find gems like this video below. Take a look at “Keep It High” by Paris “turbo chillwave” band (their words) Dead Sea. Beautiful.